A beautiful whole ammonite fossil with naturally preserved iridescent shell, displaying flashes of rainbow color as the specimen moves through the light.

Much of the original shell surface remains visible, including the ammonite's pronounced ribbing and coiled form. In ordinary lighting, the shell appears predominantly pearly cream with subtle pastel tones. Under direct light and at certain angles, it comes alive with flashes of green, blue, aqua, yellow, pink and orange.

This optical effect is produced by the preserved shell material itself, the color is natural and changes with the angle of light, rather than being added or enhanced with a coating.

The fossil retains a largely complete spiral form but has a naturally missing/broken section near the outer opening, exposing the darker fossil matrix beneath. Additional natural fractures, weathering and areas of shell loss are present throughout and can be seen clearly in the photographs.

Ammonites were extinct marine cephalopods related to modern squid, octopuses and nautiluses. They lived in Earth's oceans for hundreds of millions of years before disappearing during the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period approximately 66 million years ago.

Details

• Genuine ammonite fossil

• Natural preserved iridescent shell

• Rainbow flash varies with lighting and viewing angle

• Approximately 2.7" × 2.3"

• Weight: 94 g

• Pronounced natural ribbing

• Cream/pearl base color with multicolor iridescence

• Naturally incomplete outer section with exposed matrix

• Natural fractures, shell loss and weathering throughout

• One-of-a-kind specimen

• You will receive the exact fossil pictured

Please note: Iridescence is angle and light dependent.